Alberta Chiefs Elect New AFN Regional Chief

by NationTalk onSeptember 7, 20093129 Views

September 8 2009, Traditional Territory of Treaty No. 6…The Assembly of Treaty Chiefs of Alberta elected a new Assembly of First Nations Regional Chief of Treaties 6, 7 & 8 at their annual fall sitting last week in Edmonton, Alberta.

A total of 40 ballots (Alberta Chiefs) were cast in the first round of voting with no spoiled ballots. In order to be proclaimed winner the candidate needed 50 percent plus 1, which is a total of 21 votes. The 1st ballot results are as follows:(in alphabetical order) #1) Jason Goodstriker (12 votes) #2) Rose Laboucan (13 votes) #3) Lester Neepoose (1 vote) #4) Edwin Small Legs (2 votes) #5) George Stanley (12 votes)

After the 1st ballot, Lester Neepoose was dropped from the election race with the least amount of votes and Edwin Small Legs decided to graciously exit from the race. The results from the second ballot are as follows: #1) Jason Goodstriker (12 votes) #2) Rose Laboucan (14 votes) #3) George Stanley (13 votes)

Having the lowest of votes, Jason Goodstriker was eliminated from the race. The third ballot was cast and the results are as follows: #1) Rose Laboucan (16 votes) #2) George Stanley (21 votes)

A total of 37 votes were casted during the last round of voting. The newly elected AFN Regional Chief of Treaties 6, 7 & 8 of Alberta is George Stanley, former Chief of the Frog Lake First Nation.

Mr. George Stanley comes from a long line of Chiefs and leaders. His ancestral history is deeply embedded in Treaty dating back prior to signing of Treaty No.6 George’s Great Great Grandfather, Unipouhous signed Treaty on behalf of Treaty 6.

During George’s tenure as Chief of Frog Lake, the Nation took an assertive role towards the development of a governance structure driven by the membership. Chief Stanley was also instrumental in furthering the Nation in Tourism, the Oil and Gas industry.

As the next Regional Chief of Alberta, George Stanley believes that all First Nations in Alberta share a common concern regarding the environment and a collective voice will assist in moving forward with the issues. Whether it is water, wildlife, air quality, George Stanley will advocate preserving these natural resources as was negotiated by his Great Great Grandfather.

“I want to thank my elders, technicians and especially the Alberta Chiefs…they are true warriors in my mind. It’s now time to work together to build a stronger united front here in the Treaty territories of Treaty No.6, Treaty No.7 and Treaty No.8. The Alberta Chiefs have given me a mandate and I’m looking forward to serving as the new Regional Chief of Alberta,” said the newly elected Regional Chief, George Stanley.

Treaty No.6, Treaty No.7 & Treaty No.8 represents 48 First Nations/Bands and over 100, 000 First Nation members within the Province of Alberta.